Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-09
THE MIKaDO'S NEPHEW.
From Household Domestic to Ger
man Army Officer.

IT EOtU kIOubCnOIu DUho5btt w SCt-
man Army Officer.
The Chinese have an older civilization
than the Japanese, but there Is no doubt
In the minds Of statisticians at large that
the latter people have the superior system
Of government. They are endesvoring, at
any rate, to keep abreast of the times and
the advancement of the age. The history
of Japan goes back about $500 years, and
dates from the period when the orb OF day
proclaimed his dominion over the country.
1t 10 a very pretty tradition, which is be-
lieved by all loyal Jsps, that the sun was
the first emperor in tho land. Since that
time no ruler has been arrayed in such
splendOr, not even the VIGOROUSLY gOr-
geous Solomon of eastern pride, nor the
lilies OF the 6eId-even they present
comparatively modest appearance beside
the etfulgence of the first great, shining
emperor.
But the sun lost his grip in some way,
and was dsposed, and on the throne WAS
placed Jlmmu Tenno.
No record exists, says the San Fran
cisco Examiner, OF the sun having be-
come angry at the proceedings or inter-
posing objections. On the contrary, 1t ls
Que OF the greatest examples OF returning
OF going off on a strike and, by ''dousing
the glim," cutting off the illumination Of
the world, Old Sol went right along
shedding bis beams with the same lavish
and gratuitious spirit as before.
The children OF the sun. who have from
time to time sat upon tue ancient throne,
have. according to native historians, got
along about as well az the rulers OF other
nations, although 1t Is alleged that the
Z hal a w "A fynrH-
bead, and that the business and policy OF
the government were conducted by the
ministers OF state.
The present monarch, Mutsu Hito, has
forsRken the ways OF his fathers, as is
well known. lie commenced q new era,
which mas had the effect Of sending an
intelligent class of his subjects abroad to
study the customs and habits OF other
nations.
For this reason many stories are told
OF Japanese nOblemsn who toll as walters,
house servants and SO on, III various
households OF this country, for tbs small
wages paid such employees.
Often these stories are true, but about
two thirds of the Japanese who are work.
ing In this country as servants belong to
what Is known as the Samurai class.
These were the retainers OF the Daimiyos,
or feudai lords, and they occupied good
ton, but by no N eans of noble blood, the
highest rank to which they can attain
being thai Of hata motto, which ID an
official position.
In 1868 the lords OF the land were COM
PEELED TO dis band their retainers and sur
render their lands to The government.
1A,s move took away the occupation of
thousands OF the Samurai class. On being
discouraged they we're allowed certain
nFr tann hIIf lylM a " in n a
business capacity they were soon penni-
less and helpless. They do not know how
to do anything that requires skill by
which to earn a living, and they therefore
prefer to 60 abroad, and while working as
domestics prepare themselves TO take
positions of trust and responsibility III
their own country.
Many of them do this work and profit
by the night school system OF San Fran
cisco.
Several instances are known where
blue blooded Japs worked Tor families In
this city, the most notable one OF which
has Just come to light, and the discovery
was made by most novel accident.
A certain family residing on Mob Hill,
and we'll known in society circles in tGis
city, and also in many OF the cities OF
Europe, secured the services of a hand
some Japanese young man." His duties
and polishlng things up generally. He
was always dihgent at his work and
never forgot his position as domestic.
For two years he held the place, beng
kbowR to the family only as SOL" He
went away OF his own accord, having laid
by about $500 out OF his scanty earnings.
Nothing more was heard or thought OF
him until recently one OF the dsu .hters of
the family referred TO attended q court
hul In in m
there was Sol, blooming in the regiment
ais OF the German empire. The young
woman wrote home OF the meeting at the
time, and has just returned herself af(er
an extended European tour. she de.
scribes ner meeting with the Jap with
more attention to detail than she wrote
"why, mamma" she said In relating
the incide Mt, E'my breath was taken
away. The first thing j knew was ia
troduoed to Lieut.. Ksro Yatami for
a waltz. looked at the gentleman for q
moment as though | WAS crazy, | sup
pose, and then losing my presence "
mind for the moment, put out my hand
and exclaimed: 'Why, Sol, f. that your
"'It is, miss Mamie he reJoined. and
Pm glad TO soc you
"Tbe gentleman VINO introduced us
flustered away, thinking that he had
made two genial lunatics acqu ainted
with each oLner. Sol and | did not dance
that time. We simply talked. Ny utmost
curiosity was aroused. He wrote me his
proper name and told me that he was q
nephew OF the Al ikado, which Iaflerward
learned TO be true. He said that ne was
rich, but be thought he could best serve
his country beginning just whore he did,
gradually becoming acquainted with
matters on our side or the world"
iuA 10 raa he no
man well, and that since the proposed
adoption by Japan Of the German military
system quito number 0fJapanese mobile
men have been admitted by courtesy as
officers OF the German army.